Early Saturday morning, a bus carrying 45 passengers collided with a truck, resulting in a fire and the deaths of over 30 people, according to the Fire Department.

Following the recovery of all victims from a major highway near Teofilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, the state’s Fire Department confirmed 38 fatalities, including the bus driver.

The surviving passengers sustained critical injuries and were taken to a local hospital.

The truck driver left the scene, while three individuals in a car that also collided with the truck and became trapped underneath survived, the fire department reported.

A government official expressed condolences on social media, offering assistance and noting the presence of the Federal Highway Police at the accident site.

“I offer my deepest condolences and prayers to the families of the more than 30 victims of the accident in Teofilo Otoni, Minas Gerais. I pray for the recovery of those who survived this terrible tragedy,” the official posted on X.

A forensic investigation is needed to determine the cause of the accident due to conflicting witness accounts, the local Fire Department stated.

Initial reports from firefighters suggested a tire blowout caused the bus driver to lose control, leading to a collision with an oncoming truck around 4 a.m. local time on the BR-116 highway.

However, witness statements also indicated a granite block from the truck fell onto the road, causing the collision, according to the Fire Department.

“Only the forensic investigation will determine the accurate account,” the fire department stated.

The bus originated from an unspecified location and was traveling to Bahia.